I cannot tell a lie, I didn’t sew this dress during Kid’s Clothes Week, not by a mile. But the pattern (the Oliver + S Carousel Dress) was just released, so while I continue on with Halloween and birthday sewing, I thought I’d share the tester version of the Carousel Dress I sewed over the summer. When I saw the sketch of this pattern, I immediately wanted to color block it – the hem and sleeve bands, the neck binding, the pockets – all nice spots for solids.
The Carousel Dress has a simple, relaxed style and features raglan sleeves with shoulder darts and wide hem and sleeve bands. The front is made up of three panels, and the pockets are neatly enclosed in the seams. Because of the way the dress is pieced together, this pattern has lots of potential for combining fabrics or highlighting all those seams with top stitching. There’s also a ruffle hem option, if you’re into that sort of thing.
The keyhole opening at the back closes with a button and thread chain – a nice, simple closure. I’m all for leaving my buttonhole foot in the drawer.
So back to the color blocking – the coral is a Modern Solid from In the Beginning, and the other two colors are Honey and Peach Sherbet from Art Gallery. The Art Gallery solids come in such beautiful colors and are some of the nicest quality solids I’ve found.
I sewed a size 5 for Lila and it seems a little big – I think she can still get away with a 4 in the patterns with a more relaxed fit. If in doubt, I might recommend sizing down (and adding length) with this one.
You can read more about the Carousel dress and see the pattern made up several different ways in Liesl’s introduction post. And there’s another new fall pattern – The Lunchbox Tee and Culottes – to check out as well!
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Oh, I love this colorblocking version! It’s convincing me to get the pattern!
I saw the dress, before I checked whose blog I’m reading & thought ‘Looks like something Gail would make. It’s just so damn nice. Colors & all.’ Then I thought…’Candy corn.’ 😉 Well, i suppose it’s altogether delicious.
So very lovely, well done.
This version is so lovely – perfect fabric choices
what a great dress! I love your colour choices and the colour blocking shows off the lines of the pattern.
The construction sounds really clever. Shoulder darts? How cool. You made lovely color choices. Well done!
such great color choices! love your eye for color:) I’d like to get my hands on some of that Art Gallery solids . . . I’ve heard such great stuff about it! I have this pattern on order and am inspired by your version!
Oh my gosh…it’s stunning! I love the color blocking!
Lovely colors and dress, Gail! I’m excited about this pattern, although it sounds like I’ll need to wait a while before the size 5 will fit E. Those pockets remind me of the Sally dress. I love a good pocket!
You are def. the best at color, love seeing your version to show where the colorblocking is possible! Gotta get my hands on some art gallery solid, I’ve never used it!
Those colors are stunning! This is such a beautiful and classic dress!
Lovely colours. Would never have thought of those together but you’re so clever like that. It’s a beautiful dress
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B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L muted trio of colors: such sophisticated color blocking for your girl’s Oliver + S Carousel Dress! Pattern is versatile as you mentioned– giving fabric selection wide open for prints and plain colors in whatever combinations one chooses. LOVE the coral & honey for the dress with peach sherbet pockets for the blocked color effect. Lots of LOVE sewn into this by a creative MOM. Thanks for sharing. Sarah in Minneapolis
I want this pattern so bad, but I feel like my daughter would fit in a 4 based on the pattern measurements and I can’t justify buying a pattern that she will outgrow by next season. Seeing you pic of the size 5 gives me encouragement that maybe I should just go ahead and buy the bigger sizing.
i know the feeling! i bet she’ll fit into the 5 before you know it, size up!! 🙂
This dress is absolutely Gorgeous! Love how the colors shine through! I bought this pattern a little while ago and was looking for some inspiration. Now I just know what to do! Thank you so much!!
Love this!